worth upgrading BelCanto REFLink?

It's been a while since I have done the comparison, bit generally the Matrix has slightly better resolution and a lower noise floor, resulting in a blacker background, more saturated tonal colours and a greater sense of speed and dynamics. Of course, these differences are all marginal, but they are noticeable.

Hi rossb,

Thanks so much for your post!

What types of improvements do you note with the Matrix (with LPS) over the Bel Canto?

Thanks,

Chris

I still have a Bel Canto Ref Link, as well as the Matrix X SPDIF 2 and have also recently bought the X SPDIF 3 to use the improved IIS ouput. I also have a few others - an old Audiphillio, the SIngxer unit and one or two others.

The Bel Canto is good but the Matrix units are better, and certainly the best I have heard. It is also worthwhile powering the Matrix unit with a good 12v linear PSU which brings another improvement in sound quality.

Thanks for your response!

Alas, my hands are tied with respect to using the MacMini, as I use Theoretica Physics BACCH4Mac cross-channel cancellation software/filtering to achieve "true" 3D sound, and this requires the player/streamer be a Mac device.

Thanks again,

Chris

While you are correct about advances. I would recommend replacing your Mac with a proper streamer. The Mac is probably by far the weakest link. A high quality streamer would probably improve the sound a great deal. I prefer Aurender new or used.

The biggest step forward in digital was getting the PC / MAc / MacBook out of the equation.